How do I add carers element to universal credit?

[PinkPolkaDotUmberella]

Got an existing UC, dh works full time earning 67K a year, we have 2 dc and rent from a HA, we get roughly £650pcm UC. I’ve been caring full time for my mil for a few years and recently found out from the district nurse that as mil gets PIP at the highest rate I am entitled to claim carers element from UC. How would I go about claiming this element? Mil doesn’t live with us but I care for her 7 days per week and over the minimum 35 hours a week.

Absolutely, nobody earning 67k should be able to claim, the system is screwed. My poor nan who lived in a council house (after raising my mum by herself due to her husband dying very young) had to count every penny. Wouldn't put the heating on nor the hot water unless she wanted a bath. The system is so backwards.

His “contribution” is cancelled out by the huge amount of financial help you receive, including housing. That’s before you even count the cost of actually using all the amenities and systems funded by taxes. You are costing the country money.

How are you providing your MIL 24/7 care if ahe lives elsewhere? What is the nature of your child’s disability? I think you are being selective with details as you know you are playing the system!

@SimplyBedeviled hardly being selective I clearly wrote dh is there before work and after work, he has a day so is there in the evening/overnight/early morning on the days I’m not.

She isn’t proving her MiL care now though… because her DH is the main carer for MiL, according to her new benefits claim.

What's with the Spanish Inquisition? The OP doesn't have to justify herself. This is verging on online bullying.

She doesn’t have to justify herself but if she keeps posting facts that contradict each other people are naturally going to wonder why all the different versions?

You actually said ", we have 2 dc and rent from a HA, "

No, you said you gave up work to care for your MiL

@Barrenfieldoffucks no you’ve taken that out of context, I have referred to my child as “her” all the way through and mil as mil. You are trying to pick holes, I’m not sure why really as my situation is nothing to be jealous about.

This is so disingenuous! You obviously are referring to your MIL as her in the post quoted, as the previous sentence was about her and at this stage you hadn’t specified the sex of your second (or is it third?!) disabled child.

Quite telling of your dishonest character I’d say……

Don’t you have any semblance of pride or integrity in wanting to stand on your own feet as a family, without looking for endless ways to game the system for more money?! Your attitude is shameless.

Yes absolutely agree. The lame attempts at justification are just laughable. Just reeks of dishonesty.

It's either a deliberate wind up to get everyone riled about benefits, or someone who is genuinely gaming the system and realised halfway through that her full time working husband can also claim to help look after his own mother.

I’m confused. Disregarding the UC /£67, 000, as I have no idea as to how UC works, I thought the OP states her and DH have two children… and “ given that she cares full time for her MIL….she’s found out she’s entitled to claim carers element for that”… ? I have followed the thread, but doesn’t she then state that her DH does the “ full time care” of MIL? And claims for that? And she is a full time carer for a third child?

So, am I alone in not understanding how this has flipped? I’m just asking not to get embroiled in the “£67k” thing, but because I’m baffled, and just want to check if I’m the only one? Genuine question! 🙋‍♀️

This feels like rage bait. Why did you include you'd DHs salary? Of course people are going to be fuming. A couple with a mortgage both working FT at minimum wage wouldn't be getting any UC.

How are you getting the child element for all 3? Things aren't adding up here? I know things are changing in April, but as it stands there's a 2 child cap.

Ah….. yep, he does the overnight shifts, doesn’t he? I’m surprised he’s not already claiming for that, as they seem quite savvy. Plus, if I was staying up all night, then working FT the next day, I’d quite like a perk for it. Weird how it’s suddenly changed. Anyway. Perhaps ( hopefully) it’s rage bait. Anyway. I don’t generally comment on threads like these, I was just very 🤔🤷‍♀️ curious….

You are all slating this woman, why not start slating the government and start asking WHY is it getting harder for someone to LIVE on 67k? Rather than have a go at everyone else? Seriously

That isn't strictly true. It is circumstance dependent.

My thoughts exactly. A decent standard of living calculator suggests me and my two children need around £60k a year minimum.